Deke Bellavia

Deke: Saints' Cam Jordan moving toward elite status

by Deke Bellavia,posted Jul 26 2014 7:20PM

Even when the Saints defense became the worst ever in 2012, he was the lone bright spot. As he enters his fourth season in the NFL, Saints DE Cam Jordan is making the move to elite status among NFL defenders.

“If every year you’re not aiming for the Super Bowl, then what are you aiming for? The point of the football season is to bring home that championship, and honestly, that’s what we’re here to do,” Jordan said.

Cam heard his name called back in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft, and since that point, he has blossomed into one of the best players on the roster. After a career season in which #94 totaled 15 sacks (12.5 regular season/2.5 playoffs) Cam is a big reason why the Saints defense had the best turnaround since the NFL merger took place way back in 1970.

“We’re not here to be a good defense, we’re here to be the best defense. We’re not here to a good offense, we’re here to be the best. We’re all here to be the best that we can be, and so the highest achievement we can get is a Super Bowl.” Jordan spoke to the media after the Saints first practice at the Greenbrier in West Virginia.

“Cam has improved each season for us. He has become a leader and his play speaks for itself,” said Saints defensive line coach Jim Johnson. In three seasons Cam Jordan has piled up 155 tackles, 24 sacks and he has batted down 11 passes.

Cam is more comfortable in year two of being under defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. “Rob Ryan, from the jump, just came in and put in his defense, but implemented everyone’s best talents in that defense. I think he just brings out the best in a lot of different people, and that’s what you get.”

Jordan is one player that has steadily improved each season in the NFL, and in 2013 Cam had his best season yet. The former Cal Bear was named to the Pro-Bowl after recording 12.5 sacks and 66 tackles for the Saints.
Cam added 11 more stops and 2.5 more sacks in the Saints two playoffs games last post season. Jordan believes that the Saints defense can be even better this season with the additions of some new faces.

“We picked up Jairus (Byrd). We picked up Champ (Bailey). That automatically brings a higher level of competition with the defensive backs. Of course on the defensive line, you have Akiem (Hicks) coming into his third year. I’m pretty excited about that. You got Junior (Galette) getting ready. A couple of the first year guys showed some major talent: John Jenkins and Glenn Foster. They’re going into their second year and that’s sort of where the jump happens. For the defense, it’s really exciting to be a part of that, just to see the transition.”

When he arrived in New Orleans the Saints were basically known around the league as an offensive team. But after finishing with the 4th best defense in 2013 the Saints defense is starting to get a little deserved attention. And #94 Cam Jordan is a player that other teams better pay close attention to as Jordan has quickly become an elite player in this league.